Oesio Roero Oltredieci

Vineyard and terroir

The grapes come from the Oesio growing area in Canale. The vines are 15–30 years old, trained to Guyot and planted on south-, SO- and southeast-facing slopes. The soil is identified as sandy-loamy and is also characterized in terms of clay and sandstone. Yield is 6,500 kg/ha. Sustainable viticulture is practiced, and production is limited to small quantities in exceptional vintages. The wine is intended to demonstrate the capacity of Nebbiolo from these hills to develop beyond ten years.

Grapes

100% Nebbiolo. Paolo Giacosa is the winemaker.

Vinification

Harvesting is entirely manual. Whole bunches are sorted by hand on a vibrating table and chilled with carbonic snow to protect them from oxidation and substantially reduce sulfur use. After destemming, the berries undergo a second manual selection on another vibrating table before gentle crushing. Screw conveyors are excluded from the process to minimize handling.

The must is chilled before fermentation to preserve its character, then fermented in conical oak vats under controlled temperature. Maceration lasts for more than 25 days and combines délestage with partial use of the submerged-cap technique.

Ageing

Maturation takes place primarily in medium-sized oak casks of 2,500–4,000 L, with a small portion in barriques. A long period of bottle ageing follows.

Technical data

Vintage 2008. Alcohol: 14.50%. Yield: 6,500 kg/ha. Recommended cellaring: 20 years.

Tasting profile

Ruby red with garnet hues. The intense, elegant bouquet combines violet, marasca cherry, small red fruits and other floral aromas with recognizable Nebbiolo notes of spice, coffee, leather and dried flowers. The palate is refined, elegant and medium- to full-bodied, with strong balance, pleasant tannins, close correspondence between aroma and flavor, and a long finish.

Serving and pairing

Serve at 16–18 °C. Pair with porcini mushroom risotto, meat and braised dishes, aged cheeses or truffles. It can accompany flakes of dark chocolate after the meal or be enjoyed by itself as an after-dinner sipping wine.

Vintage notes

The 2008 season followed the early 2007 vintage and returned to a more regular rhythm. Spring was normal, while the period approaching summer was variable and rainy. Early summer remained mild and wet, reducing quantity without compromising quality. Ripening began late, then benefited from stable conditions through August and September. The harvested grapes were balanced and fully ripe. The vintage account describes the year as good overall and particularly favorable for Alta Langa.